Celebrate!

This month at Die Cut Divas we are using the color "Yellow" as well as some adorable digis from Kinda Cute Digis.  

You still have a little time to join in the challenge if you wish!

What I Used to Make my Card:
Square {5 1/4" x 5 1/4"} White Card
Black, Yellow and Light Blue Cardstock
Graphic 45 Artisan Style Paper, Patterns & Solids, 8" x 8" {available online}
Border Die - Dotted Line {unknown manufacturer}
MFT/Die-Namics Wonky Stitched Circle STAX
Lawn Fawn Celebrate die, #LF1429
Big Rose Image by Kinda Cute Digi's
Alcohol Ink Marker in Yellow

The lovely Arlene sent me this image {as she did for the image I used here} and I used the wonky stitched circle die to cut it out.  I colored the image with alcohol ink markers.  That was my mistake.  I typically try to get all the supplies I need together before I put a project together {or I at least know in my head what I am going to use} and this time I colored the rose before I had anything else to go with it.  The hunt begins for the perfect background paper with me first going through all my 6" x 6" pads, 8" x 8" pads, as well as any odd sized pads.  Then I move on to my 12" x 12" papers.  Well, I overlooked the Artisan pad that I finally used and it took me DAYS to figure out what else I could find to match this rose.  I am so new at working with alcohol markers that I was afraid to try and blend any other shades of yellow in the flower {watercolor I can handle,

Another Peek

alcohol ink, not so much} because I was certain I'd ruin it and I only had this flower left.  Yes, I had other images I could have used, but give a girl a break!  Honestly, I was so invested in the rose at this point that using another image didn't even cross my mind.

Finally, I found the paper I decided to use.  I think the yellow matches nicely.  I cut the paper using a dotted line border die I have; it's literally a metal line of dots. Unfortunately I don't recall where I acquired it but it's pretty handy when you don't have a die large enough to cut what you want, as long as what you want is straight edged.  I mounted the rose onto the background paper.  Then it was time for the sentiment.  I typically stamp in black ink, but I wanted to pick up some of the other colors in the background paper so I decided to use the celebrate die.  The word was cut three times, once out of light blue card, then once each out of yellow and black card.  I layered the cuts and there have been quite a few times where my eyes played tricks on me and I thought the word was 3D.  I didn't plan on that effect but hey, I like it! 

There you have it!  My square Celebrate card.  I hope you liked my little tutorial and if you can't make the challenge at Die Cut Divas this month, be sure to check back tomorrow!  Thanks for visiting ~ Christi


I'd like to enter my Celebrate card in the following challenges:
Art Impressions - #242, Vibrant Colors
Addicted to Stamps & More - #311, Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes {entry #2}
Tuesday Throwdown Color Challenge - Use Complimentary Colors
Pause, Dream, Enjoy - M, Anything Goes
Daring Cardmakers - With a Flourish {flourishes on the word}
Creative Knockouts - #265, Anything Goes
Retarte - #128, Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown

You're Amazing!

I love sending out goodies to my crafty friends.  Somehow, I end up with a HUGE pile of extra stuff, stuff I don't use, or have duplicates {triplicates?}  So, instead of it hanging around here, I'll send a goodie package out or have a giveaway.  On Instagram, I've met SO many new people and one of them lives in Colorado so it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg to send her stuff; I've sent her a package already and it was the first one she'd ever gotten!  She was so grateful she made a video and everything.  How cool is that?!? I made this card to send with my next goodie package for her.

It's an odd angle, but you need to be able to read the word

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Foam Board {from the Dollar Tree}
The Ton Bold Amazing Greetings Word Plate Dies
Navy Blue Card
KaiserCraft Wandering Ivy, 6.5" x 6.5" pad, #PP1033

I am in LOVE with this sentiment set from The Ton; I've already got a few other projects in the works using the dies.  It's fabulous!  I started this card by cutting the words out of foam board; the cheap stuff die cuts much easier than the expensive stuff and I snagged a few white and black foam core boards from my local Dollar Tree.

I've made these cards before {here is my first try, and my second, in case you are interested.  The first card I made goes into greater detail about the technique and there is a link to the Jennifer McGuire video that I studied} but I don't think I'll ever get over how cool they look.  Choosing the wandering ivy paper for the word and the background paper was an easy choice; every piece of paper in that pack is so pretty!  I cut out the word "amazing," used the cuts to

Another weird angle but
you can see the foam

cover the foam board, then carefully placed them into the voids left by the die.  For me that's the hardest part about making these cards and I can get a bit obsessed about ensuring the letters are placed as close to perfect as I can get them.  Then I take my photos and realize that the card is SO far from perfect -- but like I always say, mistakes are part of the charm of handmade, right?  Then I cut the word "you're" out of the foam board, covered that with navy card, attached those cut letters, and I was done.  My tip for you - if you've never made this kind of card and want to give it a go, use a word die that is welded together so you don't have to fuss with individual letters.

Now I'll be packing up some goodies to send out along with the card.  I hope she likes this bunch of goodies as much as the first batch and I'm happy to report some other crafters have sent her some stuff since I sent her my care package.  I say that the crafting community is the most generous and kind people around; what other artists encourage people to copy them?!  None that I know, yet we post instructions, either written or video, to show people how we created our projects.  Now that's sharing!  

I hope this gives you the push you need to attempt one of these incredible cards - they are so much easier than they look.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you soon.  Christi. 

I am entering my You're Amazing! Card in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday - #354 -355, Anything Goes
Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes
CraftyHazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge -M, Anything Goes
DL Art Monthly Challenge - Anything Goes
Sparkles Monthly Challenge - #108, Use Dies or Punches
The Color Sisters - M, #59, Color Palette 

Cardz TV - #67, Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Shout it Out!

So fall has officially begun.  It's about 70 degrees here, but the other day I was up at Estes Park again {I know, 2 times in five days!} and there were some Aspen trees turning colors - it was amazing!  As soon as my brother puts his pictures up, I'll share them with you.  We also saw a mama elk washing her baby and a few of the moose elks doing their rut stuff - the call they make can be heard through almost the entire park!  Anyway, sorry for all the nature stuff but I am finally able to get out and see what my beautiful adopted state has to offer and it is amazing.  I made this card to reflect the colors of fall as well as be able to give to someone regardless of the occasion.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Card Base
Authentique Harvest 6" x 6" pad, #HVT028 {retired but available}
The Ton Bold Amazing Word Plate Dies
Mama Elephant Little Dog Agenda Stamps
Mama Elephant Little Dog Agenda Dies
Zig Clean Color Markers
Vanilla Card
Watercolor Paper
Orange Card
Leaves {left over from this card}
Ranger Archival ink in Jet Black
Silhouette Cameo
Red Tape Adhesive
Removable Tape 

I already had the cute little dog with the megaphone colored and cut; since I first saw him, I knew I wanted to make a card that made him look as if he was using the megaphone to shout out something happy and the Bold Word Plate dies fit perfectly!  I used my Cameo to cut out some word bubbles; that took me the longest because I kept making them either too small or too big - I am horrible at measuring and if things aren't life sized I can't seen to figure out which way to go - up or down. One of my many dyslexic issues.  Directions and I have a love/hate relationship because I struggle with them so.  My mom says it isn't a car ride with me unless we turn around at least once! 

Once I fit the word bubble to the words I discovered a great way to make sure all the letters are even; once the letters are cut, carefully put them back into the die.  Use removable tape and tape them together the "wrong" way {as they are in the die, looking up at you}.  Pull the letters out of the die and tape them with removable tape on the "right" side, removing the tape you put on the wrong side.  Use a strong adhesive {I found red tape adhesive is worth the

Another Look

trouble of cutting out those itty bitty, teeny tiny, pieces} and attach them where you want them.  Once they are dry, or adhered, carefully remove the tape that is on top of the letters and viola! - you have straight letters!  I'm sure using a ruler would be faster, but it seems that every time I make a pencil mark on my projects I can't get it off completely.  And I have using the tape down pat so it's easy for me.  I used orange card for the word "you're" and patterned card for the "fabulous."

The words were attached to the bubble and I attached the bubble to another piece of patterned card, placed my little shouting dog, and adhered him and the leaves.  Lastly, the panel was put onto the Kraft card base and I was done.  This card came out exactly as I envisioned it! I just can't get enough of the Bold Word Plate dies and have a few other projects in the works using them.  I want to thank you SO much for visiting. I appreciate each and every visit and comment.  Without your encouragement, I'd never have tried blogging.  Thanks so very much! Christi

I am entering my Shout it Out! Card in the following challenges:
City Crafter - #431, Pet Company
Die Cuttin Divas - #388, Fall Colors
Cards in Envy - Feels Like Fall, Entry #2
Make My Monday - #80, Autumn/Fall Colors, Entry #2
Dragonfly Journeys - #127, Fall Colors, Entry #2
Sweet Stampin' - Dies and/or Punches
Crafty Friends Challenge - #93, Fall Colors
Sunny Day Crafting - Anything Goes w/ an Animal, Entry #2
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #18, Anything Goes w/ an Animal
That's Crafty! - Forever Autumn 
Cardz for Galz - #80, Thoughts of Fall

I Love . . .

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know how much I adore Lawn Fawn.  It's such a departure from my old style but I just can't get enough of these amazingly cute critters!  I decided to use the older Stitched Cloud Background and Stitched Hillside Backdrop coupled with the new-ish Hay There stamps and dies to enter the Lawnfawnatics Challenge #37, Use Something Old & Something New. 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Brown, Blue, Yellow and Red Cardstock
Lawn Fawn Stitched Cloud Backdrop: Landscape #LF1423
Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Backdrop: Landscape #LF1502
Lawn Fawn Hay There Stamp Set, #LF1595
Lawn Fawn Hay There Dies #LF1596
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Zig Clean Color Markers
Watercolor Paper (whatever you have on hand, I use Strathmore Ready Cut Series 500 paper)
Water Brush (chose whichever you have, but I always use a detail, or small, one)

When I get a new stamp set, I usually already have a card in mind once I break it out of the package.  This adorable set was no different.  I knew I wanted to use the cute little word bubbles that the cow and the ewe use to speak to each other and the card sort of fell into place after that. 

I stamped all my images onto watercolor paper, colored them, and then cut them out.   Then I die cut the hills, the clouds, the cute little cottage, and the smoke coming out of the chimney.  Those little heart shaped puffs of smoke are so sweet and you can choose to leave them open, or fill them in (with the leftover cut pieces) like I did.  

Another Peek

Once everything was colored, dried, cut, and ready to assemble, the first thing I did was attach the hills die cut to the clouds and let that dry thoroughly.  I used to struggle horribly with construction of scenes and water coloring until I learned to let everything DRY - dry this before you add that.  Things go much smoother for me and, since I already have everything cut out, once something dries I can just pop on the next piece with no issues.  Once the background was done, including the house, I moved my animals around to figure the best placement.  In no time I had placed the cow and the sheep and I was done.   One of my favorite things about dies is that you can use them together, or alone, or even mix sets! The possibilities are endless!

I hope this little tutorial inspires you to try something new, no matter what it is.  We grow exponentially when we experiment and play; I sometimes worry that making cards has become so competitive that the fun has left.  But, then again, you are responsible for your own fun, so I say get to creating some FUN! Hugs, Christi

I am entering my I Love Card in the following challenges:
Lawnfawnatics - #37, Use Something Old and Something New
Stamping Sensations - M, I Spy Something Beginning with the Letter B - bovine
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - M, #18, Anything Goes w/ a Critter (or 2)
Let's Craft and Create - M, #141, Anything Goes w/ Option of Friendship
Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies - M, Sept, 2nd Entry
Sunny Day Crafting - M, Animals
Allsorts Challenge - #485,  Create a Scene 
Crafty Animals - #18, Always Anything Goes w/ an Animal
Brown Sugar - M, #282, All Creatures Great and Small
Cute Card Thursday - #547, Dies and/or Punches, 2nd Entry
Double Trouble {ref by Brown Sugar} - #10, 3 Colors and a Stamped Image, plus optional critter and punny sayings 

Fall Colors

It's almost officially fall here {just a few more days} but I can feel the nip in the air; at night at least.  Denver has been breaking records for high temperatures during the day for a week or so!  While on a day trip up to the beautiful Estes Park, {where the Stanley Hotel is - Stephen King got the idea for The Shining while staying there during his college days} the trees were already changing.  And we were blessed to see a moose family - bull, cow, and baby {who was hiding in the brush - could only see him when his ears moved} and my brother, who has one of those amazing cameras that I haven't a clue how to work, got the lovely picture above.  We were very close to them and it took my breath away; I could have stayed there all day!

Now that you have read more than you wanted about my trip, let's get to the card.  I recently acquired the "waves" set of Birch Press dies and I've seen a lot of examples from people using them for summer cards.  Thought I'd do a twist and use them making a fall card.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base (I actually used a 5"x 7" card, cut it down to 4" x 6")
Rust, Brown and Green Cardstock
Vanilla Card
Wink of Stella in Clear
Wave Set of Dies from Birch Press Designs, #56067

Using these dies can be challenging; they have lots of little curly ques that aren't easy to glue.  At least, they weren't easy for me to glue!  I attached each layer and let the card dry overnight under the tile on my desk.  I definitely think the results were worth the effort.  

I started with a piece of vanilla card since white looked too stark to me, and glued each layer on that.  Then I attached the panel to a white card base, trimmed it down to fit, and there you have it! I am in love with the ease of using these dies.  I liked the look of the card so much I didn't even add a sentiment!  I added some sparkle around the edge of the card for a little more interest.

Before I close, I want to send my thoughts to those affected by Hurricane Florence.  Having lived on the East Coast most of my life, I've seen the devastation these storms can cause.  Now that I live out in the middle of the country, I get a whole new experience with the tornado sirens; still scares me to pieces, but we've been lucky so far this year!  Waiting to see what Old Man Winter has in store.  Thank you for stopping by and supporting my little blog.  I appreciate it more than you know! Christi

I would like to enter my Fall Colors card in the following challenges:
Always Fun Challenges - #76, Fall Colors
Cards in Envy - Feels Like Fall
Crafty Cardmakers - #218, Autumn Colors
Make my Monday - #80, Autumn/Fall Colors
Dragonfly Journeys - #127, Fall Festival of Colors
Sunsational Stamps - M, Fall
Studio 75 - M, #7, Colors of Fall {see color badge below}
Sparkles Monthly Challenge - M, #108, Dies or Punches {I used dies}
Cute Card Thursday - #547, Dies or Punches {I used Dies}
Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday Challenge - M, Signs of Autumn
That's Crafty! - Forever Autumn
Happy Little Stampers - Anything Goes with Dies Challenge (Sept)
Mix It Up Challenge - M, Anything Goes with 3 or more Layers 

Studio 75

A Thank You Card

Remember when I made a card for Layton's Legacy?  Well, I made a few other cards as well, packaged them up, and mailed them off to Lea.  I also included this "Thank You" card to thank her for having this card/donation drive for the NICU parents at U of M Masonic Children's Hospital.  This is the card I made and sent to her.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Birch Press Fiori Plate Layer Set
Hero Arts Thank You Pair Fancy Die, #DI192
3 Co-ordinating Colors of Card Stock {I used yellow, dark blue and light blue}
Scrap White Card for Sentiment

As you can see, this was a VERY easy card! It was the first time I had cut the Fiori plates and I really just wanted to see what they looked like in person.  But I felt the die cuts were so pretty it would have been a waste not to use it, so I turned it into a Thank You card!  I think I would have put more thought into my color choices had I known I was going to use the background but I was (and am!) so happy with the way it came out, I used it anyway.  Plus, I think the colors are sort of summery and fresh. 

All I did was attach the layered plates onto a white card base, cut the Thank You out of white card, and attach it.  I like this card so much I am going to use it for my Design Team project at Not Just Cards September Challenge! It's such a fun place to play, as the theme is always Anything Goes!  And, as the name states, you can submit ANY type of art - not just cards!  

So easy and so elegant.  These dies are pricey but I feel the versatility makes them worth it.  I've recently purchased a few other sets and I'll be sharing them soon!  Thanks SO much for stopping by and I hope to see you soon ~ Christi

PS: Hope to see you at the challenge! Remember, Not Just Cards!

I am entering my Thank You card in the following challenges:
The Crafter's Cafe - M, #203, Three of Something (I used 4 different dies)
Mix It Up Challenge - M, #17, Anything Goes w/ Option of Layering
DL Art Thankful Thursday - #235, Always a Thank You
Papercraft Business Challenge - M, Anything Goes w/ Optional Thank You
Happy Little Stampers - M, Anything Goes with Dies
Crafty Gal's Challenge - #174, Anything Goes plus 3+ Layers
Stamp, Ink, Paper - #167, Large Sentiment

Hello Summer. . .

I realize that this really isn't the beginning of summer but when I crafted this card it was HOT and summer was in full swing!  I may not be able to use it this year but I will just put it away and use it next year!

This card was made using Kinda Cute by Patricia digital stamps, who happens to be sponsoring the Die Cut Divas' September Challenge with a theme of "Use Yellow."  

What I Used to Make my Card:
Cream Card Base
Digi Stamp by Kinda Cute by Patricia, Sunflower
Authentique Meadow, 6 x 6 pad
Impression Obsession Hello Summer die, #DIE688-B
Tutti Designs Cross Stitched Nesting Rectangles, #TUTTI-410
MFT/Die-Namics Stitched Fishtail Sentiment Strips, #MFT-1123
Embossed Decorative Yellow Paper {stash}
White Card
Alcohol Ink Markers 

I am just learning how to color with alcohol ink markers - it's not something that makes me feel very confident.  Using the color yellow, digi stamps, and alcohol ink markers and I am actually surprised at how well this card came out.  Since I don't have a laser printer, my good friend Arlene {the Die Cut Divas coordinator} sent me the digi stamps for this challenge.  I wasn't sure how I was going to color the digis but since I was already out of my comfort zone, I figured I might as well use Copic markers.

I colored the five flowers using various shades of yellow and green.  Then I cut the rectangle with all the flowers out first and used the patterned paper, which I cut out using the Cross Stitched Rectangle dies, to add some interest.  I found

Another Peek

this cool yellow decorative paper in my stash and cut out another rectangle to mount the flowers.  The finishing touch on the card is the banner with Hello Summer on it, cut out in yellow card.

As I said, I am actually proud of this card! I've been collecting digi stamps for a while now, but I just can't get myself to truly use them.  That's one reason I really enjoy being on a Design Team - you are sometimes forced out of your comfy box.  I hope this inspires you to break out some yellow, be it markers, card stock, or anything your crafty mind can dream up {just please, use some die cuts!} and join us at Die Cut Divas' September Challenge.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simply Create, Too - M, #142, Use Stitching, Real or Faux
The Paper Challenge - M, #352, Make it Bloom
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Bloomin' Flowers
Shopping Our Stash - #370, Crazy for Coloring
The Flower Challenge - M, #24, Anything Goes
Take It, Make It - M, Anything Goes

Jump for Joy!

It's almost fall and I can definitely feel the difference in temperature {my favorite part} and the days are getting shorter {my least favorite part}.  Which leads me to this month's challenge at Stinkin' Inkers.   We are celebrating fall.  Our theme is "Falling Leaves" and I hope you can grab a few stamps, dies, alcohol inks, whatever, and join in the fun!

What I Used to Make my Card:
Vanilla Card Base
Brown, White, Yellow, Orange, Red and Green Cardstock
Lawn Fawn Leafy Tree Backdrop - Landscape #LF1237
Lawn Fawn Jump for Joy Stamp Set, #LF1212
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

I have to be honest - I completely forgot about my Design Team duties for this challenge.  Completely.  I've been trying to complete some of my DT duties ahead of schedule and I think I thought I'd already made a project for this challenge.  Nope.  The good news is this card was SO easy to make I threw it together in record time!

I first cut the Backdrop out of white card, then cut the tree out of brown

The Bare Tree

 card.  I attached the tree to the die cut, then attached the panel to a vanilla card just so there would be a slight color difference between the panel and the actual card.

Tons of Leaves

Cutting out the leaves was super easy.  The Backdrop set has a row of leaves that cuts out 6 at a time.  In no time I had a pile of leaves ready to be attached to my tree.  I glued the leaves around the tree, purposely leaving a bit of the branches sticking out.  

The falling leaves are meant to look like they are swirling off the tree; I suppose I could have used a stamp to drive that point home - some sort of movement stamp - but I didn't think of it until I was writing this post.

Lastly, I stamped the sentiment onto the card with the help of my stamp platform.  I absolutely adore this thing and I'm so happy I made the switch from my old stamping tool.  

I hope you've had a relaxing long weekend.  I've been making Halloween cards and decor like crazy; that shouldn't come as a shock because you know Halloween is my favorite holiday and it is never too early to get your Halloween on!  I hope you get your fall stamps and colors out and join us at Stinkin' Inkers; you have NO excuse, the challenge runs the entire month. Thanks for stopping by!  Christi

PS: It's almost that time for the Cat Lovers 2018 Blog Hop - start getting your kitty makes together now so you'll be ready!


I am entering my card in the following challenges: {where did I find all these awesome challenges to enter?? At Challenges for Days!)
The Cat's Pajamas PaperArts - M, #350, Fall
Paper Smooches - M,  CAS
Scrap From Your Heart -M, Autumn Colors {see below}
Dream Valley Challenges - M, Autumn Colors
Lawn Fawnatics - 2W, #36, Mood Board {see below}
Alphabet Challenge Blog - L is for Leaves
a to z Scrapbooking - M, Clean & Simple {see below}

Scrap From Your Heart

Lawn Fawn

a to z Scrapbooking